A £1m expansion of a flagship programme aims to improve the life chances of children in Flintshire.

Vaughan Gething, the deputy minister for tackling poverty, yesterday opened a new facility in the refurbished youth centre in Holywell.

The ‘Flying Start’ programme there will be run by the Wales Pre School Providers Association in partnership with the county council.

The 50-year-old youth centre was recently refurbished with £75,000 of Welsh Government funding.

Flying Start works with families to improve the life chances of children in some of Wales’ most disadvantaged communities and is administered by the council in Flintshire.

Eligible families are offered support services, including free part-time childcare for two to three year olds, parenting support, early language development and an enhanced health visiting service.

Chris Jones, Flintshire’s cabinet member for social services, said: “The Flying Start programme in Flintshire provides a much needed service to our poorest communities in these difficult times. I am also extremely pleased to have the playgroup opening in my ward of Sealand and I know the benefits it will have for the families in my ward.”

In Flintshire, the service is delivered in Higher Shotton and Aston, Connah’s Quay Central, part of Flint, part of Greenfield and is being extended to Holywell and Sealand.

A Welsh medium playgroup – Cylch Meithrin Garden City - will also be officially opened. Vaughan Gething said: “The start a child gets in life is vital. Flying Start is all about making the best start if life possible. We are investing more than £1m in Flintshire to expand Flying Start so that more families across the county benefit from this support.”